LOT 148

1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe Chassis no. HK1 BT6X Engine no. TY7-2239

Sold for US$81,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 148

1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe

The Amelia Island Auction|2 March 2023, 10:00 EST|Fernandina Beach Golf Club

1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe
Chassis no. HK1 BT6X
Engine no. TY7-2239

383ci OHV Wedge Chrysler V8 Engine
Dual 4-Barrel Carburetor
360bhp at 5,200rpm
4-Speed Manual Pont-A-Mousson Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Dunlop Disc Brakes

*Beautifully presented example of the French 'Rolls-Royce'
*The ultimate spec—Hemi Wedge V8 and manual transmssion
*Equipped with rare knock-off wheels
*Perfect for the Copperstate 1000 or similar rallies

THE FACEL VEGA HK500

In its relatively short life, the French firm of Facel produced approximately 2,900 cars, all of which were stylish, luxurious and fast. Being hand built, they were, of course, necessarily very expensive – the Facel Vega HK500 was priced in Rolls-Royce territory – and were bought by the rich and famous seeking something exclusive and distinctive. The roll call of owners included royalty, politicians, diplomats and entertainers. Confirming there was also high-performance substance behind Facel's unquestionable style, they were owned and driven by great motor racing figures such as Sir Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant and Rob Walker.

Being chiefly engaged in the supply of car bodies to Panhard, Simca and Ford France, Facel branched out into automobile manufacturing in 1954 with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon. A luxurious Grand Routier, the Vega took its name from the brightest star in the Lyra constellation and featured supremely elegant coupé bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. With there being no suitable French-built power unit, Facel turned to the USA initially choosing Chrysler's 4.5-liter, 180bhp V8. There was a choice of push-button automatic or manual transmission.

An improved model, the HK500 appeared in 1957. Maximum power was now around 360bhp courtesy of the latest, 5.9-liter version of Chrysler's 'hemi' V8, and the top speed rose to around 140mph. Power steering became an option and Dunlop disc brakes were adopted as standard equipment in 1960. Capable of effortless and virtually silent 120mph cruising, the HK500 possessed, according to The Motor magazine, "a brilliant combination of good comfort and quite exceptional road holding." HK 500 production amounted to just 500-or-so units between 1958 and 1961, and today this rare Franco-American Grand Routier is highly sought after. The Facel Vega HK500 was designed to go head-to-head with the best grand touring cars on the market at the time. Period promotional literature claimed it could out-perform the mighty Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the Ferrari 250GT, and the Aston Martin DB4.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This elegant and sporting Facel Vega HK500 is finished in pewter grey over grey leather and is generously equipped with a 4-speed Pont-à-Mousson 4-speed manual, twin-carb Hemi Wedge V8, power windows, a Becker Mexico cassette/radio, and rare center lock knock-off wheels by Rudge (four alloy, one wire). It is one of just 55 Facel Vega HK500s built in 1961.

The early history of this example is not known, but it was delivered new to the United States and a plaque on the glovebox door indicates that it was shown at the second annual Le Cercle Concours d'Elegance in Santa Ana, California on April 21, 1968. The subject of a later restoration, the interior looks to have been reupholstered and the car repainted at that time. Coming into the current collection a decade ago, it has been displayed for the duration of the present ownership and recommissioning is suggested in advance of any touring.

Additional information

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